BARPETA, May 5 - People belonging to the religious minority community in greater Gomafulbari area in Barpeta district celebrated Rongali Bihu for the first time this year. The two-day long festival was observed on May 1-2. People of this area, especially the youths, participated in the programmes spontaneously and ovewhelmingly.
The Mukali Bihu competition held on the afternoon of May 2 was inaugurated by eminent writer and critic Ismail Hossain. In his speech, Hossain said that those who lack the sense of Bihu and those who don�t know how to respect this festival, can neither become real Assamese nor good citizens. He preferred to identify himself as an Assamese first, as an Indian second, as a citizen of the world third and the domestic identity related to temple or mosque as last. He also enchanted the audience by singing a Bihu song and playing on the �gagana�.
Rajib Bora, an expert on Bihu who came here from Majuli to witness the Bihu celebrated by religious minority group, said that it is a universal festival of the people of the State, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Bora stated that like temples for Hindus and mosques for Muslims, Bihu is for the Assamese.
It is learnt that the two-day festival participated by people from all walks of life in the locality faced a number of troubles. An office bearer of the celebration committee disclosed that some religious leaders of the locality tried to hinder the entire proceedings since the beginning. They tried their best to stop young girls from dancing. But all their efforts turned futile due to the determination of the organisers and wholehearted co- operation of the local community.
With their intention to identify themselves as an indispensable part of the greater Assamese nation, these youths of Haripur have been successful in subduing the efforts of a few divisive forces. They not only set a precedence for others but also showed an example of unity and harmony.
BARPETA, May 5 - People belonging to the religious minority community in greater Gomafulbari area in Barpeta district celebrated Rongali Bihu for the first time this year. The two-day long festival was observed on May 1-2. People of this area, especially the youths, participated in the programmes spontaneously and ovewhelmingly.
The Mukali Bihu competition held on the afternoon of May 2 was inaugurated by eminent writer and critic Ismail Hossain. In his speech, Hossain said that those who lack the sense of Bihu and those who don�t know how to respect this festival, can neither become real Assamese nor good citizens. He preferred to identify himself as an Assamese first, as an Indian second, as a citizen of the world third and the domestic identity related to temple or mosque as last. He also enchanted the audience by singing a Bihu song and playing on the �gagana�.
Rajib Bora, an expert on Bihu who came here from Majuli to witness the Bihu celebrated by religious minority group, said that it is a universal festival of the people of the State, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Bora stated that like temples for Hindus and mosques for Muslims, Bihu is for the Assamese.
It is learnt that the two-day festival participated by people from all walks of life in the locality faced a number of troubles. An office bearer of the celebration committee disclosed that some religious leaders of the locality tried to hinder the entire proceedings since the beginning. They tried their best to stop young girls from dancing. But all their efforts turned futile due to the determination of the organisers and wholehearted co- operation of the local community.
With their intention to identify themselves as an indispensable part of the greater Assamese nation, these youths of Haripur have been successful in subduing the efforts of a few divisive forces. They not only set a precedence for others but also showed an example of unity and harmony.
